Rapido is willing to produce GN U25B ‘Phase IV’ locomotive models in HO scale, including GN’s nonstandard ‘five step’ step well, a feature missed on previous ‘Phase I’ models. Also included: side mounted handrails, prototypical snow plow pilot, two-piece windshield, upward sloping nose, and fireman’s side nose-mounted ratchet handbrake. Two road numbers are planned, in both DC and DCC.

But they’ll ONLY be available if 100 reservations are made at the GNRHS store. Terms:
•    A non-refundable deposit of 25%
•    Order deadline is January 2025
•    Current expected delivery in 4th Quarter 2025
•    DC price $239.95
•    DCC with sound price $349.95

Paint scheme would be as-delivered in simplified orange and green with post-1968 cab roof warning flasher. Rapido may offer additional road numbers if the order minimum is met.

Great Northern’s ten Phase IV U25Bs, numbered 2514 to 2523, were delivered during May of 1965 and initially assigned to the Havre Freight Pool for Minneapolis to Seattle service on trains #97 and #83 westward and #82 and #88 eastward. Further historical details available here.

For better or worse, build-to-order has become a reality in the modern hobby market. Let’s act now to take advantage of this opportunity to secure a never-before-produced Great Northern model.

UPDATE: Thanks to all involved for a wonderful convention. We’ll see you September 9-14, 2025 in Minneapolis-St Paul for next year’s convention, a joint event of GNRHS, NPRHA and SP&S Historical Society.

The Everett convention is September 14-19, 2024 and will focus on the history of the Great Northern in Everett, WA and surroundings, with tours and presentations. The banquet, raffle and the Rail Fair including Model Display are also part of this year’s great line-up. Click here to learn more.

Registration is available online or in the June GOAT magazine. The current timecard is below. If you prefer to pay by check, you may download a registration form.

And click here to enter the convention raffle of various interesting GN-related items – open to all, even if you don’t attend!

Continuing our tradition of Canadian secretaries, Paul hails from Alberta and succeeds Thomas Carr. We thank Tom for his years of service, and he’ll continue serving on the GNRHS board through 2025. Welcome Paul!

Gary Thurow of Spokane, WA is our new Vice-President, succeeding Dan Bolyard, who we also thank for his service. Gary has been on the Membership Recruitment for some time and is a familiar face at Northwest train shows hosting the GNRHS table.

If you have some spare time and would like to help the GNRHS, we’re always looking for volunteers. If you enjoy events and hosting, you might consider assisting Mary McGlothlin with convention planning and operations. Mac McCulloch could use some help with the online store, which utilizes Shopify software and is pretty interesting for those inclined to online tools. Reach out to convention@gnrhs.org or store@gnrhs.org respectively.